Lavandula plant named ‘FW Radiance’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Lavandula  plant named ‘FW Radiance’, characterized by its compact and broadly upright plant habit; freely branching growth habit, dense and bushy appearance; freely flowering habit; light purple-colored flowers with medium to large red purple-colored sterile flower bracts arranged on short terminal spikes; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Lavandula stoechas pedunculata.

Cultivar denomination: ‘FW RADIANCE’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant: Steven Eggleton

Title: Lavandula Plant Named ‘FW Spellbound’

Filed: Feb. 25, 2019

Ser. No. 16/501,144

Applicant: Steven Eggleton

Title: Lavandula Plant Named ‘FW Whimsical’

Filed: Feb. 25, 2019

Ser. No. 16/501,146

This application claims priority to the Australia Plant Breeder's Rights application number 2018/039, filed Feb. 26, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Lavandula plant, botanically known as Lavandula stoechas pedunculata, commonly referred to as Spanish Lavender and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘FW Radiance’.

The new Lavandula plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new compact and freely-flowering Lavandula plants with good garden performance and attractive plant form and flower coloration.

The new Lavandula plant originated from a cross-pollination in October, 2009 of Lavandula stoechas pedunculata ‘Papillon’, not patented, as the female or seed, parent with Lavandula stoechas pedunculata ‘Strawberry Ruffles’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,490, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Lavandula plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia in October, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Lavandula plant by softwood terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia since December, 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Lavandula plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Lavandula have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of the new Lavandula plant. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘FW Radiance’ as a new and distinct Lavandula plant:

-   -   1. Compact and broadly upright plant habit.     -   2. Freely branching growth habit, dense and bushy appearance.     -   3. Freely flowering habit.     -   4. Light purple-colored flowers with medium to large red         purple-colored sterile flower bracts arranged on short terminal         spikes.     -   5. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Lavandula differ primarily from plants of the female parent, ‘Papillon’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Lavandula are more upright than and not as         spreading as plants of ‘Papillon’.     -   2. Plants of the new Lavandula have broader sterile flower         bracts than plants of ‘Papillon’.     -   3. Plants of the new Lavandula and ‘Papillon’ differ in sterile         flower bract color as flowers of plants of the new Lavandula         have red purple-colored sterile flower bracts whereas flowers of         plants of ‘Papillon’ have mauve-colored sterile flower bracts.

Plants of the new Lavandula differ primarily from plants of the male parent, ‘Strawberry Ruffles’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Lavandula have shorter inflorescences than         plants of ‘Strawberry Ruffles’.     -   2. Plants of the new Lavandula have narrower sterile flower         bracts than plants of ‘Strawberry Ruffles’.     -   3. Plants of the new Lavandula and ‘Strawberry Ruffles’ differ         in sterile flower bract color as flowers of plants of the new         Lavandula have brighter red purple-colored sterile flower bracts         than flowers of plants of ‘Strawberry Ruffles’.     -   4. Plants of the new Lavandula have longer peduncles than plants         of ‘Strawberry Ruffles’.

Plants of the new Lavandula can be compared to plants of Lavandula stoechas pedunculata ‘FW Spellbound’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/501,144. Plants of the new Lavandula and ‘FW Spellbound’ differ primarily in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Lavandula are light purple in color with red purple-colored sterile flower bracts whereas flowers of plants of ‘FW Spellbound’ are dark greyed purple in color with purple violet-colored sterile flower bracts.

Plants of the new Lavandula can be compared to plants of Lavandula stoechas pedunculata ‘FW Whimsical’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/501,146. Plants of the new Lavandula and ‘FW Whimsical’ differ primarily in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Lavandula are light purple in color with red purple-colored sterile flower bracts whereas flowers of plants of ‘FW Whimsical’ are light red purple in color with light red purple-colored sterile flower bracts.

Plants of the new Lavandula can be compared to plants of the Lavandula stoechas ‘IBPR910-2’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,525. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Lavandula differ primarily from plants of ‘IBPR910-2’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Lavandula have shorter inflorescences than         plants of ‘IBPR910-2’.     -   2. Plants of the new Lavandula have narrower sterile flower         bracts than plants of ‘IBPR910-2’.     -   3. Sterile flower bracts of plants of the new Lavandula are more         outwardly spreading than and not as upright as sterile flower         bracts of plants of ‘IBPR910-2’.     -   4. Margins of sterile flower bracts of plants of the new         Lavandula are not as undulate as margins of sterile flower         bracts of plants of ‘IBPR910-2’.

Plants of the new Lavandula can also be compared to plants of the Lavandula stoechas ‘Bentley’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,709. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Lavandula differ primarily from plants of ‘Bentley’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Lavandula have longer sterile flower bracts         than plants of ‘Bentley’.     -   2. Plants of the new Lavandula and ‘Bentley’ differ in sterile         flower bract color as flowers of plants of the new Lavandula         have darker red purple-colored sterile flower bracts than         flowers of plants of ‘Bentley’.     -   3. Plants of the new Lavandula have longer peduncles than plants         of ‘Bentley’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Lavandula plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Lavandula plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘FW Radiance’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typical inflorescences of ‘FW Radiance’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and following detailed description were grown in 1.5-liter containers during the late spring in an outdoor nursery in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia and under cultural practices typical of commercial Lavandula production. Plants were pinched two times and were one year old when the photographs and description were taken. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 40° C. and night temperatures ranged from −1° C. to 20° C. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms Of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Lavandula stoechas pedunculata ‘FW     Radiance’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Lavandula stoechas pedunculata             ‘Papillon’ not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Lavandula stoechas pedunculata             ‘Strawberry Ruffles’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.             22,490. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Terminal softwood vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at             temperatures about 24° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About twelve days at             temperatures about 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 24 to 28             days at temperatures ranging from 23° C. to 26° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 35 to 40             days at temperatures ranging from 15° C. to 18° C.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically white to light             brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; compact and             broadly upright plant habit; roughly globular to broadly             ovate in overall shape; moderately vigorous growth habit;             moderate growth rate; flowers arranged in verticillasters on             terminal spikes.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 16.3             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 22.6             cm.         -   Plant width.—About 21.3 cm.         -   Lateral branch description.—Quantity per plant: About nine             primary lateral branches each with about ten secondary             branches developing per plant during the flowering season.             Length: About 6.5 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Internode             length: About 2.9 cm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect:             Upright to somewhat outwardly. Texture and luster: Densely             tomentose; slightly glossy. Color, developing: Close to 144B             to 144C; at the internodes, between 143C and 144B. Color,             developed: Close to 199B and 199C.         -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Opposite, simple; sessile.             Length: About 3.2 cm. Width: About 5 mm. Shape: Narrowly             oblanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire;             slightly to moderately revolute. Texture and luster, upper             surface: Densely pubescent; matte. Texture and luster, lower             surface: Moderately to densely pubescent; matte. Fragrance:             Strongly aromatic, pungent. Venation pattern: Pinnate.             Color: Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B to NN137C;             venation, close to 138A. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 137B; venation, close to 138B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type, arrangement and habit.—Small single salverform             flowers arranged in verticillasters on terminal cylindrical             spikes; freely flowering habit with about 60 to 100 flowers             developing in four to twelve whorls per inflorescence and             about 50 inflorescences developing per plant; flowers with             two-lobed upper lip and three-lobed lower lip; flowers face             mostly outwardly on the spike.         -   Natural flowering season.—Relatively long flowering period;             continuous from late winter to late spring in Australia.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—Individual flowers last about             one to two months on the plant; flowers not persistent.         -   Fragrance.—Resinous.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Shape: Elliptic. Color: Close to 143A to 143B.         -   Inflorescence height.—About 2.7 cm, excluding terminal             bracts.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 1.5 cm, excluding terminal             bracts.         -   Flower diameter.—About 3.4 mm.         -   Flower depth (height).—About 6 mm, including tube.         -   Flower tube length.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower tube diameter.—About 1 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Upper lip, two-lobed and             lower lip, three-lobed. Length, upper and lower lips: About             2.8 mm. Width, upper and lower lips: About 2 mm. Shape,             upper lip: Obovate. Shape, lower lip: Ovate. Apex, upper and             lower lips: Obtuse, rounded. Margin, upper and lower lips:             Entire; slightly undulate. Texture and luster, upper (inner)             surface, upper and lower lips: Smooth, glabrous; slightly             velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower (outer) surface,             upper and lower lips: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety;             slightly glossy. Color, upper and lower lips: When opening,             upper (inner) and lower (outer) surfaces: Close to N78A.             Fully opened, upper (inner) and lower (outer) surfaces:             Close to 72B; color becoming closer to N80A with             development.         -   Basal flower bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: Each group of             flowers is subtended by a single basal flower bract. Length:             About 9 mm. Width: About 8 mm. Shape: Cordate. Apex:             Cuspidate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and             lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 143C.         -   Sterile flower bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About four             to eight sterile flower bracts at apex of spike. Length:             About 4.1 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Oblong. Apex:             Broadly acute. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Entire; undulate.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous; matte. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             72B; main vein, darker than 72B; with development, color             becoming closer to 70B.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five, fused into a             campanulate tube. Calyx length: About 7 mm. Calyx diameter:             About 2.2 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin:             Entire. Color, upper (inner) and lower (outer) surfaces:             Close to 143A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 7.5 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 mm.             Aspect: Mostly upright. Strength: Moderately strong to             strong. Texture and luster: Pubescent; matte. Color: Close             to 144B to 144C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Four.             Anther shape: Reniform. Anther color: Greyish white Pollen             amount: If present, scarce. Pistils: Quantity per flower:             One. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Dark purple to             almost black. Ovary color: Close to 143A to 143B.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production has not             been observed on plants of the new Lavandula. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Lavandula have been     observed to be somewhat resistant to Botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) and     to date have not been observed to be resistant to pests and other     pathogens common to Lavandula plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Lavandula have exhibited good     garden performance and to tolerate rain and wind and temperatures     ranging from −2° C. to 42° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Lavandula plant named ‘FW Radiance’ as illustrated and described. 